My Own Famous Stuffed Grape Leaves

“These are grape leaves, stuffed with a tantalizing mixture of rice, fresh dill, mint and lemon. ‘Yum’ is the only one word to describe these. These can either be a main dish or an appetizer, depending on your appetite. Serve with good crusty bread and a Greek salad, if desired.”

Ingredients:

• 2 cups
  
  uncooked long-grain white rice


• 1 large
  
  onion, chopped


• 1/2 cup
  
  chopped fresh dill


• 1/2 cup
  
  chopped fresh mint leaves


• 2 quarts
  
  chicken broth


• 3/4 cup
  
  fresh lemon juice, divided


• 60
  
  grape leaves, drained and rinsed


• hot water as needed


• 1 cup
  
  olive oil

Directions:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat , fry the rice, onion , dill and mint for about 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Pour 1 liter of broth , reduce heat to low and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes , or until the rice is almost cooked. Stir in 1/2 lemon juice and remove from heat .


• Take a sheet , shiny side down , and place 1 teaspoon of rice mixture on the bottom ( root ) end of the leaf . Fold both sides of the sheet toward the center , roll up from the wide bottom to top , and in a 4- quart pot . Repeat with all the leaves , leaving no gaps as leaves are placed in pot ( to prevent opening while cooking ) . Sprinkle with remaining lemon juice and olive oil.


• Pour chicken broth to cover all of grape leaves . Cover pot and cook for about 1 hour (do not boil , because that makes the filling broke the leaves) . Remove from heat , remove cover and allow to cool for 1/2 hour. Transfer to plate and serve .

My Own Famous Stuffed Grape Leaves